Monday, May 10, 2010

POTENTIAL TRADE PARTNERS FOR TORONTO.

Here are some teams that Burke might be talking to over the next month or so.

1. LA KINGS: One only has to look at the Leafs depth on defence and the Kings recent draft history to see potential for a Luke Schenn trade to Los Angeles, uniting the brothers as Brayden enters the NHL. One could also see a trade done that would send Brayden to Toronto. What players could be involved? I don't know, what do I look like, someone who has thought this through? I would take Wayne Simmons though.

2. COLUMBUS BLUE JACKETS: The Jackets are probably open to trades to acquire defence. Their top scoring blueliner this season was Anton Stralman and highest paid D-man is Mike Commodore (at 3.75M), so there's room for growth. What makes them a potential trading partner? They have Samuel Pahlsson and Jakub Voracek, both of whome Burke would be interested in. Pahlsson as the Leafs shut down centerman is a no-brainer for Burke, I'm sure. Who goes back? Obviously Kaberle if Voracek is in the deal, but for Pahlsson could Jeff Finger and a prospect do the trick (since Finger makes $1M more than Pahlsson)? Is Scott Howsen (Columbus GM) related to Daryll Sutter by any chance?3. ATLANTA THRASHERS/BOSTON BRUINS/ANAHEIM DUCKS: These teams each hold two picks in the first round this June. Which means one or all of them could be open to moving one. BOSTON have already tried to trade for Kaberle and there's the added element that they have Toronto's own pick this June. ATLANTA are probably willing to give up picks since the draft hasn't helped them much lately and they wanted roster players for Kovulchuk so how interested in the draft can they be? Nobody would blink if ANAHEIM and Toronto made another deal so they need the least explaining.

4. PHOENIX COYOTES: This will be an interesting summer for GM Don Maloney as he has only three defenceman signed for next season and a whopping $25M or so in cap space (if I've done my math right). While much of that money will have to be spent on forwards, Kaberle could be a potential target and Maloney was the busiest GM at trade deadline so he's not afraid to make a trade. Phoenix also has TWO 1st-round draft picks to use in any deal.

5. TAMPA BAY LIGHTNING: If Burke and Nonis are serious about getting themselves a 1st round pick the Lightning might be worth calling. They have the #6 overall position, which is smack in between the last two positions the Leafs drafted (Kadri 7th, Schenn 5th). Good omen? Not sure about that, but one would think that after drafting #1 and #2 the last two years perhaps they are willing to trade this years pick. It's not like they've been all that lucky at the draft outside the 1st overall spot anyway. I mean, look at this heinous draft history???